Second opinion explained

A second opinion is an opinion on a matter disputed by two or more parties.

Law

In legal cases, a second opinion which contradicts the opinion of a jointly retained expert may be disregarded as not being impartial.^[1]

Consumer rights

In cases such as car repairs, a second opinion should be obtained in writing, and the original garage given an opportunity to rectify matters.^[2] In the case of clients' disputes with domestic building contractors, the builder may seek a second opinion to confirm their view.^[3]

Medicine

A second opinion can be a visit to a physician other than the one a patient has previously been seeing in order to get more information or to hear a differing point of view.^{[4] [5]} Some reasons for which a patient may seek out a second opinion include:

• Physician recommends surgery.
• Physician diagnoses patient with serious illness (such as cancer).^[6]
• Physician recommends a treatment for the patient other than what the patient believes is necessary.
• When physician recommends elective surgery, it may be required by the insurance plan. In other cases, insurance will not pay for a second opinion.^[7]
• Patient believes they have a condition that the physician diagnosed incorrectly or failed to diagnose.^[6]
• The physician themself recommends a second opinion.^{[6] [8]}

Different payment procedures apply to different second opinions. For example, some health plans pay for second opinions for members; many employers offer free second opinion benefits through companies like Grand Rounds or similar companies; and some states have public programs for cancer second opinions.^[9]

Workplace disputes

Second opinions may also be obtained by employers.^[10]

Professional mediation

Professional mediators may be asked for second opinions regarding whether to proceed to trial or seek a settlement instead.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Book: Nancy F. Atlas. Stephen K. Huber. E. Wendy Trachte-Huber. Alternative Dispute Resolution: The Litigator's Handbook. 2000. American Bar Association. 978-1-57073-812-8. 262.
2. Web site: Problems with the quality of garage repairs or service . CAB website . . 24 February 2014.
3. Web site: Handling customer complaints . Queensland Building and Construction Commission . QBCC website . 20 April 2015. 2014-05-02 .
4. Book: Kyle Beardsley. The Mediation Dilemma. registration. 18 August 2011. Cornell University Press. 978-0-8014-5003-7. 37.
5. Book: British Medical Association. Medical Ethics Today: The BMA's Handbook of Ethics and Law. 31 January 2012. John Wiley & Sons. 978-1-4443-5564-2. 253.
6. Web site: New National Survey Shows Almost a Third of Second Medical Opinions Result... -- re> ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 17 /PRNewswire/ --. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131224092502/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-national-survey-shows-almost-a-third-of-second-medical-opinions-result-in-different-treatments-54284227.html. 2013-12-24.
7. Web site: Apply for a Scholarship | Patient Advocate Foundation.
8. Chiosea. SI. Peel. R. Barnes. EL. Seethala. RR. Salivary type tumors seen in consultation.. Virchows Archiv. April 2009. 454. 4. 457–66. 19271235. 10.1007/s00428-009-0742-x. 28378251.
9. Web site: A second opinion could save your life. Los Angeles Times. 24 May 2015.
10. Book: Lisa Granger. Best Practices in Occupational Health, Safety, Workers Compensation and Claims Management for Employers: Assisting Employers in Navigating "The Road to Zero". 2010. Universal-Publishers. 978-1-59942-812-3. 159.
11. Book: Victoria Pynchon. Success as a Mediator For Dummies. 10 April 2012. John Wiley & Sons. 978-1-118-07862-4. 89–90.